Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

History

Cheddar's was founded in 1979 by Aubrey Good and Doug Rogers. The first location was in Arlington, Texas, and the chain reached 10 locations by 1995.

By 2003, Cheddar’s had 42 restaurants in 13 states and Brazos Private Equity Partners made an initial investment to grow the company that year. In August 2006, when the company had 55 restaurants in 15 states, Oak Investment Partners and L Catterton Partners jointly purchased Cheddar’s.

In August 2007, the company recruited Kelly Baltes from Darden Restaurants to serve as CEO. Today the company has more than 135 company-owned and franchise locations in 23 states.

In October 2014, Ian Baines was brought on as President and CEO of Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, after serving as CEO and President at Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation. Throughout his career he has held various roles of increased responsibility with Darden Restaurants and Brinker International, Inc.

In 2015, the company changed its name to Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, to reflect its ideals of made-from-scratch cooking and continuing to serve goodness to their Guests.

In 2017, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen completed its acquisition of 44 restaurant locations from Kentucky-based Greer Companies, the company’s largest franchisee. The purchase increases Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen’s corporately-owned restaurants to 139 out of the 164 locations nationwide, adding locations in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.

Menu

Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen serves a variety of made-from-scratch dishes. They are a dining establishment with traditional and modern American fare. Guest favorites include the hand-breaded Chicken Tenders, Homemade Onion Rings, and House Smoked Baby Back Ribs that are smoked for a minimum of six hours.

Their promise to guests is featured on their menu and focuses on the cooking process. “Scratch cooking is about doing things the right way instead of the easy way. We invest time and effort to prepare your meal by hand using simple, honest ingredients. Scratch is in our name, it's also our promise to you.”

Awards and honors

In 2012, Zagat ranked Cheddar's the nation's No.1 full-service restaurant chain as well as Top Overall American Cuisine, the Top Rated Food and Top Rated Decor and Facilities.

Consumer Reports named Cheddar's #1 in the Pub Style or Grill Category in its two restaurant surveys in 2009 and 2012. The company also received the top ranking in value in Nation's Restaurant News/WD Partners' Consumer Picks Edition in 2011, 2012, and in 2013 for value, likelihood to return and likelihood to tell others.

In 2015, the restaurant earned "Best Restaurant in the Colony" in the Start Local Media Reader's Choice awards.

In 2016, Technomic Consumer Choice Awards ranked Cheddar’s No. 1 full-service restaurant chain for customer’s intent to return. Additionally, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen is amongst the Leaders in Foodservice Award winners for the 2016 FARE Conference.

In July 2016, Cheddar’s was named #3 out of the “20 Top Full-Service Chains In Sales And Satisfaction” by Restaurant Business. Of all the full-service restaurants tracked, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen earned the best value ratings from consumers. Its satisfaction score was also among the highest of the group.

Also in 2016, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen named “Favorite Casual Dining Restaurant” in Market Force Study.

On the local level, Cheddar’s received “Best Onion Rings” in the San Antonio Express-News Reader’s Choice Awards 2016. In Daytona, FL they received “Best New Restaurant” in Hometown News, a local paper in east Florida, a local paper in east Florida.